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(b) FRANCE taking measures to reassure essential staff working for international companies in Hong Kong. cover about 1,500 heads of households.
Scheme is expected to
(c) GERMANY - scheme to provide right of abode for up to 1,000 Hong Kong personnel of German companies. The scheme has been delayed because of preoccupation with reunification but it was publicised by a German Minister of State in July 1990.
(d) ITALY - Italians have introduced an quote administrative device unquote to give right of abode to quote several hundred unquote employees of Italian firms in Hong Kong. Companies must draw up contracts making the staff Italian based rather than locally engaged and thus giving an automatic right of abode in Italy. By using this quote device unquote parliamentary approval was not required.
(e) LUXEMBOURG - will issue multiple entry visas backed by guarantees of work and residence permits to about 15 employees of Luxembourg companies in Hong Kong. The scheme has now been agreed and publicised.
(f) NETHERLANDS the Dutch Foreign Minister has agreed to look again at possibility of issuing advance residence permits which would not require legislation. Prospects not very hopeful.
(g) SINGAPORE public knowledge that Singapore Government are considering the possibility of extending their existing scheme for blue collar workers and introducing separate arrangements for executives.
(h) SWEDEN the Swedes have no plans to modify their existing immigration law specifically for Hong Kong. Some (unpublicised) flexibility within existing laws allows employees of Swedish firm to get short term entry permits which can be converted to permanent resident permits.
(i) USA - provisions of 1990 Immigration Act already fully reported.
4. There were indications in 1989/1990 that Poland, Czechoslovakia and Hungary are willing to offer citizenship or permanent residency to Hong Kong people with the clear aim of enticing investment into their countries. Our assessment then was that
that these schemes probably would not stand the test of time.
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